On a hill overlooking the Israeli military prison of Ofer, in the occupied West Bank, there are dozens of them waiting for the release of Palestinian detainees due to be released on the evening of the first day of the truce between Israel and Hamas.
On the heights of Beitunia, a quiet suburb of Ramallah, these unusual spectators let out exclamations every time they think they perceive a movement near the prison compound, clearly visible below.
With nightfall a biting cold is felt. Some lit fires to warm themselves as the wait continued for the more than 90 detainees, mostly women and children, to be released in exchange for the three Israeli hostages released in the afternoon in Gaza by the movement Palestinian Islamist.
Among the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released during the 42 days of the first phase of the ceasefire, a very large number were placed in administrative detention, a regime that allows people to be incarcerated without charges against them. not communicated to them.
-The release list also includes more than 200 prisoners serving life sentences for committing or participating in attacks in which Israelis were killed.
On a city roundabout, near the road leading to the prison, hundreds of people gathered, hoping to be the first to welcome the prisoners. They brought Palestinian flags, and others from the Islamist movement Hamas, and sang to pass the time.
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